BONDO: Boda-boda operators across the country have been urged to champion peace and maintain order in their operational areas as Kenya gradually transitions into the 2027 electioneering period.
Speaking at Nyakasumbi Primary School grounds in Bondo town during a community outreach event, Boda Boda Association of Kenya (BAK) National Executive Chairperson Kevin Mubadi warned that operators are historically the most vulnerable when political violence erupts.
“I want to ask our members across the country to ensure they maintain peace, especially during the upcoming 2027 campaign period. You all know that boda-boda operators are likely to go hungry during skirmishes because transport grounds to a halt. Our livelihoods depend entirely on peace,” Mubadi stated.
The Bondo event combined sports, road safety awareness, and financial literacy training aimed at reducing motorcycle-related accidents and enhancing the financial resilience of riders.
It was organized by Mogo Kenya, East Africa’s leading motorcycle and smartphone financier, in partnership with Auto Industries Limited (Bajaj) and BAK.
Cautioning riders against being used as political hitmen, Mubadi warned that politicians routinely abandon operators once trouble strikes.
“We are often the easiest targets for politicians looking to disrupt their opponents’ rallies. Do not let anyone misuse you. When you get into trouble with the law or suffer injuries, those politicians will be nowhere to be found. Most of them have established families with children studying abroad, while you are left struggling to support young families,” Mubadi added.
Despite these risks, the national chairperson commended operators for exercising restraint in recent months, noting that the sector is making steady progress toward self-regulation and professionalism.
“Our members have shown remarkable discipline by avoiding sporadic political violence. Thanks to ongoing reforms, riders no longer take the law into their own hands or attack motorists whenever an accident occurs,” he noted.
Mubadi also addressed growing friction surrounding motorcycle theft, firmly dismissing allegations that asset-financing companies stage bike thefts to repossess vehicles from borrowers.
“These credit companies invest upwards of KES 60 billion into their portfolios—it makes no economic sense for them to steal a motorbike worth KES 100,000 from a customer,” Mubadi clarified. “However, because nearly 90% of all motorcycles in Kenya are acquired through loans, it is natural that most stolen bikes belong to loaning institutions. We must work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to weed out the criminal elements hiding within our ranks.”
Echoing Mubadi’s sentiments, Siaya County Boda-Boda Chairperson David Achola Odhiambo urged local operators to protect their business environment by rejecting political incite.
Highlighting the private sector’s role, Mogo Kenya’s Bondo Branch Manager Omondi Oloo emphasized that supporting riders requires a holistic approach beyond simply issuing credit.
“The boda-boda sector supports millions of Kenyans and serves as the lifeblood of daily transport. Beyond financing, we want to help riders operate safely, manage their money responsibly, and build sustainable businesses,” Oloo remarked. “Road safety and financial literacy go hand in hand. A rider who manages their finances well can afford regular motorcycle maintenance and ride safely.”
According to a sector report by Viffa Consult, the boda-boda industry generates approximately Sh660 billion annually, accounting for 4.4 percent of Kenya’s GDP and directly supporting over 2.5 million livelihoods.
However, safety remains a critical hurdle.
National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) statistics reveal that riders, passengers, and pedestrians account for more than 65percent of Kenya’s 4,000 annual road fatalities, underlining the urgent need for continuous rider education.
The Bondo event was also attended by Mogo Kenya Head of Public Relations Beck Ngigi and Auto Industries Limited (Bajaj) Head of After Sales Geoffrey Kemboi.
